If Your Child Withdraws
Summary
Host John Fuller and Dr. Danny Wer discuss why children and teens often withdraw or misbehave, noting that these actions frequently signal unspoken struggles or feelings of being misunderstood. The episode features a conversation with Amber Lea and her son Ollie, who share their experience of Ollie’s anxiety and isolation after a cross-country move during his freshman year of high school. Dr. Wer offers practical advice for parents, emphasizing the importance of maintaining calm, avoiding power struggles, and patiently creating a safe space for children to process their emotions.
Topics discussed
Introduction: A parent's struggle with a challenging child
Why children misbehave or withdraw from parents
Indicators of underlying issues and the role of parental calmness
Transition to interview with Amber Lea and her son Ollie
Ollie's experience moving to Tennessee and starting high school
The impact of life shifts on a child's anxiety
Struggles with finding friends and feeling isolated
Feeling like an outsider and the onset of loneliness
Parental perspective: Recognizing the signs of change
Ollie's behavioral changes: Shutting down and masking emotions
The role of faith and family support in coping
Ollie's resistance to talking and the desire to handle it alone
Parenting advice: How to respond to a child's shutdown
Navigating power struggles with strong-willed children
Helping teens put words to their emotions through conversation
Resources: Focus on the Family counseling and books
Promoting the 'Fearless Faith' podcast series on anxiety
Promotion of Focus Live digital radio station
Closing remarks and preview of next episode
Listen ad-free on Castria